Jane Lynch

By TIME STAFF

Age: 49
Occupation: Actress
Previous TIME 100 Appearances: 0

Reliably hilarious in bit parts for more than a decade, Lynch has finally broken out as gruff, scheming cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on the runaway Fox hit Glee. The role earned her a 2009 Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress, while the show won Best Television Series  Comedy or Musical.